Cast-in-place apparatuses for coupling objects to substrates and allowing movement of anchor members relative to substrates

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, a cast-in-place anchor apparatus is provided and includes a member configured to be cast into and unmovable relative to a substrate, and an anchor member coupled to and moveable relative to the member. The anchor member is configured to anchor an object relative to the substrate. In one aspect, the anchor member is moveable along two axes. In one aspect, the anchor member is moveable along three axes of a three-dimensional coordinate system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the priority benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/047,612, filed Sep. 8, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to apparatuses that may be cast into substrates and, more particularly, to apparatuses that may be cast into substrates for coupling objects to substrates.

BACKGROUND

Conventional manners of anchoring objects to substrates include anchoring apparatuses, such as a threaded fastener, cast into a substrate, such as concrete, by casting the apparatuses into the substrate. This conventional manner of anchoring fixes the anchoring apparatus in place upon curing of the substrate, thereby preventing manipulation of the anchoring apparatus along any axis. During construction projects or other projects requiring anchoring, various aspects of the project may change that ultimately impact the desired or required location of the anchoring apparatus. If the original location of the anchoring apparatus becomes obsolete and the substrate in which the anchoring apparatuses is positioned has cured, the substrate must be demolished, the anchoring apparatus repositioned, and new substrate formed around the anchoring apparatus. This conventional process is very time consuming and expensive.

Additionally, since the location of the conventional anchoring apparatuses must be extremely precise and any error in placement would result in demolishing the substrate, the individuals locating the anchoring apparatus in the substrate take a considerable amount of time to ensure accurate placement of the anchoring apparatuses. This conventional manner of placing the anchoring apparatuses consumes a large quantity of time, thereby increasing labor costs and delaying the entire project.

Furthermore, humans are prone to error no matter the thoughtfulness and quantity of time utilized to ensure accuracy. Thus, individuals installing anchoring apparatuses can still make mistakes when installing the anchoring apparatuses. Such errors result in demolishing the substrate, repositioning the anchoring apparatuses and reforming the substrate around the anchoring apparatuses.

SUMMARY

Thus, a need exists for an apparatus for coupling an object to a substrate that resolves one or more of the above-referenced issues or other issues that exist with anchoring apparatuses and processes.

In one aspect, an apparatus is provided that facilitates movement of an anchor member in at least two directions or along at least two axes after the apparatus is cast into a substrate.

In one aspect, a cast-in-place anchor apparatus is provided and includes a member configured to be cast into and unmovable relative to a substrate, and an anchor member coupled to and moveable relative to the member. The anchor member is configured to anchor an object relative to the substrate.

In one aspect, the anchor member may be moveable relative to the member along two axes.

In one aspect, the anchor member may be moveable relative to the member along three axes of a three-dimensional coordinate system.

In one aspect, the member is a first member, and the cast-in-place anchor apparatus may further include a second member coupled to and moveable relative to the first member. The anchor member may be coupled to the second member.

In one aspect, the anchor member may be moveable with the second member.

In one aspect, the anchor member may be moveable relative to the second member.

In one aspect, the anchor member may be moveable with and relative to the second member.

In one aspect, the anchor member may be translatable relative to the first member.

In one aspect, the anchor member may be rotatable relative to the first member.

In one aspect, the anchor member may translate relative to the member along a first axis and may translate relative to the member along a second axis.

In one aspect, the anchor member may translate relative to the member along a third axis.

In one aspect, the anchor member may translate relative to the member along a first axis and may rotate relative to the member to accommodate movement of the anchor member along a second axis.

In one aspect, the anchor member may rotate relative to the member to accommodate movement of the anchor member along a first axis and a second axis, and the anchor member may translate relative to the member to accommodate movement of the anchor member along a third axis. The first, second and third axes may be associated with a three-dimensional coordinate system.

In one aspect, the anchor member may be a threaded fastener.

In one aspect, an anchor apparatus is provided and includes a first member configured to be cast into and unmovable relative to a substrate, a second member rotatably coupled to the first member, and an anchor member coupled to the second member and rotatable relative to the first member. The anchor member is moveable along at least two axes.

In one aspect, the anchor member may be moveable along three axes of a three-dimensional coordinate system.

In one aspect, the second member may comprise a plate defining an elongated aperture. The anchor member may be positioned in and moveable within the elongated aperture. The plate may be rotatable relative to the first member.

In one aspect, the anchor member may be a threaded fastener.

In one aspect, the anchor member may be moveable between a first position, in which the anchor member is moveable relative to the first member, and a second position, in which the anchor member is fixed relative to the first member.

In one aspect, the first member and the second member may be at least partially cylindrical in shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one example of an apparatus for coupling an object to a substrate, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 and one example of a form used to establish a shape of the substrate, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the apparatus and the form illustrated in FIG. 3 and are shown with one example of a casing or barrier at least partially surrounding or covering the apparatus to inhibit substrate from accessing portions of the apparatus (the barrier is shown in a partially broken manner to show its relationship to the apparatus), according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the apparatus, the form and the barrier illustrated in FIG. 4 and are shown with a substrate, such as concrete, introduced into the form, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus positioned in and coupled to the substrate with the substrate cured and the form removed, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of another example of a portion of an apparatus for coupling an object to a substrate, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of another example of an apparatus for coupling an object to a substrate, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8 shown coupled to one example of a form that is used to establish a shape of a substrate, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 8, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the apparatus and form illustrated in FIG. 9 and shown with a substrate, such as concrete, introduced into the form, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus positioned in and coupled to the substrate with the substrate cured and the form removed, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus with a cap removed from the remainder of the apparatus, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus with a threaded anchor member partially coupled to the apparatus and moved to a desired position different than a position shown in FIG. 14, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus with the threaded anchor member secured or locked in the desired position, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-7, one example of an apparatus 20 for coupling an object 24 to a substrate 28 is illustrated. The apparatus 20 is configured to couple a wide variety of objects 24 to a wide variety of substrates 28. Examples of objects 24 include, but are not limited to, a duct, a conduit, electrical boxes or equipment, support members (e.g., pipe supports, etc.), rack structures, heavy equipment, secondary structural members, architectural members, among others. Examples of substrates 28 include, but are not limited to, concrete, asphalt, plastic, or other flowable materials capable of curing to a hard or rigid condition.

The apparatus 20 is capable of allowing movement or adjustability of an anchor member 32 in multiple directions or along multiple axes. In one example, the apparatus 20 allows movement of the anchor member 32 in two directions or along two axes (i.e., along any two of the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis in a three dimensional coordinate system). In another example, the apparatus 20 allows movement of the anchor member 32 in three directions or along three axes (i.e., along the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis in a three-dimensional coordinate system).

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus 20 includes first members 36, a second member 40 moveably coupled to the first members 36 and an anchor member 32. The first members 36 are similar in structure and function, and are generally mirror images of each other. In one example, each first member 36 includes a housing 44, a pair of projections 48, a pair of apertures 52, and a pair of fasteners 56 positioned in the apertures 52 for coupling the first members 36 to a form 60 (described in more detail below). In the illustrated example, the housing 44 is generally C-shaped and includes a top flange 64, a bottom flange 68, and an intermediate flange 72 coupled to and between the top and bottom flanges 64, 68. A cavity 76 is defined in the housing 44 of each first member 36. The projections 48 are coupled to and extend away from the top flange 64. In the illustrated example, each projection 48 includes a first portion 80 coupled directly to the top flange 64 and a second portion 84 extending from the first portion 80 in a transverse direction to the first portion 80. In the illustrated example, the second portion 84 extends generally perpendicular to the first portion 80. Alternatively, the second portion 84 may extend in any direction and at any angle relative to the first portion 80. It should be understood that the projections 48 may have any shape or configuration and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The apertures 52 are defined through the bottom flange 68 of the housing 44 and one fastener 56 is positioned in each aperture 52. The fasteners 56 may be any type of fastener including, but not limited to, nails, screws, nut and bolt combinations, rivets, among others.

In other examples, the first members 36 may include a housing have different configurations, a different number of projections, projections in different orientations and having different configurations, a different number of apertures and fasteners, different types of fasteners, and different locations of the apertures and fasteners, in any combination and all of these possibilities are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one example, the second member 40 is generally C-shaped and includes two side flanges 88 and an intermediate flange 92 coupled to and between the side flanges 88. A cavity 96 is defined in the second member 40 by the flanges 88, 92 and ends 100 of the side flanges 88 distal from the intermediate flange 92 extend toward each other to provide a slot 104 narrower than the cavity 96 in the second member 40. Ends 108 of the second member 40 are positioned in a respective one of the cavities 76 defined in the first members 36 and the second member 40 is moveable relative to the first members 36 along a first axis in either direction.

The anchor member 32 may be a wide variety of types of anchor members 32 and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the anchor member 32 is a threaded bolt including a head and a threaded shank. The head is wider than the shank. The head is positioned in the cavity 96 of the second member 40 and rests upon the ends 100 of the side flanges 88 extending toward one another. The head is wider than the slot 104 defined in the second member 40, thereby inhibiting the head from passing through the slot 104. The shank extends through the slot 104 and projects from the second member 40. The anchor member 32 is configured to move, slide or translate relative to the second member 40 in the slot 104 along a second axis in either direction.

The anchor member 32 may have any length and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Examples of multiple anchor members 32 having different lengths are illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 (one example in solid, other examples in dashed). These different lengths extend along a third axis and represent movement of the apparatus 20 or anchor member 32 along the third axis or a third direction. The anchor member 32 may also include secondary components 112 such as, for example, washers and nuts in order to facilitate coupling of an object 24 to the anchor member 32.

The example of the apparatus 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 facilitates movement of the anchor member 32 in three directions or along three axes. Movement of the anchor member 32 in the first direction or along the first axis is facilitated by movement of the second member 40 along the first members 36, movement of the anchor member 32 in the second direction or along the second axis is facilitated by movement of the anchor member 32 along the second member 40 in the slot 104, and movement of the anchor member 32 in the third direction or along the third axis is facilitated by using anchor members 32 of different lengths.

It should be understood that reference to first, second and third directions or axes is not intended to be limiting, but is rather done to facilitate description of the principles of the present disclosure. Any direction or axis may be referred to as the first direction or axis, the second direction or axis, or the third direction or axis.

Since the apparatus 20 may be positioned in any orientation, the first direction, the second direction and the third direction may coordinate with any of the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis in a three-dimensional coordinate system. Thus, the first direction may be associated with the x-axis, the y-axis or the z-axis. Likewise, the second direction may be associated with the x-axis, the y-axis or the z-axis, and the third direction may be associated with the x-axis, the y-axis or the z-axis.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, one example of installation of the apparatus 20 in a substrate 28 and coupling of an object 24 to the apparatus 20 will be described. In some situations, installing the apparatus 20 into a substrate 28 may be referred to as casting-in-place the apparatus 20 or the apparatus 20 may be referred to as a cast-in-place apparatus 20. It should be understood that the following order in which the steps, functionalities, or operations are presented is not intended to imply a particular order of steps, functionalities or operations and the order presented herein merely demonstrates at least some of the principles of the present disclosure. The steps, functionalities and operations may occur in a variety of orders and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the apparatus 20 is coupled to one example of a form 60 that assists with determining a final, cured shape of a substrate 28. The apparatus 20 is coupled to the form 60 with the fasteners 56. In this illustrated example, the apparatus 20 will be coupled to a substrate 28 in an overhead orientation, which results in the anchor member 32 being positioned overhead and projecting downward from the apparatus 20. Alternatively, the apparatus 20 may be coupled to a substrate 28 in any vertical, horizontal or between horizontal and vertical orientation including, but not limited to, underfoot (e.g., in the ground or some other surface that is driven, walked, or otherwise traversed upon), in a vertical wall or surface, or in any surface at an any angle between horizontal and vertical.

In the illustrated exemplary overhead orientation, the bottom flanges 68 of the first members 36 abut the form 60 and the fasteners 56 are sufficiently tightened to inhibit substrate 28 from flowing between the first members 36 and the form 60.

With reference to FIG. 4, a casing or barrier 116 is coupled to the apparatus 20 to inhibit substrate 28 from flowing into the cavities 76, 96 defined in the first members 36 and the second member 40, in addition to a space 120 between the first members 36 that may be traversed by the second member 40. This ensures desired movement of the second member 40 and anchor member 32 relative to the first members 36 once the apparatus 20 has been installed or cast into the substrate 28 and the substrate 28 has cured. The barrier 116 may be made of a variety of materials and may have a variety of shapes and configurations and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, the barrier 116 may be made of, but not limited to, metal, plastic, paper, wood, cellular foams, among others.

Referring now to FIG. 5, substrate 28 such as, for example, concrete is introduced into the form 60 and surrounds the apparatus 20 and the barrier 116. The projections 48 are positioned in the substrate 28 and assist with securing the apparatus 20 in the substrate 28. In some examples, the projections 48 provide significant resistance to tensile and shear loading applied to the apparatus 20 by an object 24 coupled to the apparatus 20.

With reference to FIG. 6, once the substrate 28 is adequately cured, the form 60 and the barrier 116 may be removed. The form 60 and the barrier 116 inhibit the substrate 28 from accessing the cavities 76, 96 defined in the first and second members 36, 40 and the space 120 that may be occupied by the second member 40, thereby enabling the apparatus 20 to facilitate movement of the anchor member 32 along three axes or in three directions (or in six directions if two opposite directions of movement are possible along each of the three axes) after the apparatus 20 is coupled to the substrate 28.

The apparatus 20 is configured to allow movement of the anchor member 32 in the three directions or along the three axes to varying dimensional extents. In one example, the apparatus 20 allows movement in the first direction or along the first axis of about 12 inches, in the second direction or along the second axis of about 12 inches, and in the third direction or along the third axis of about 2 inches. In other examples, the apparatus 20 allows movement in the first direction or along the first axis between about 6 inches and about 24 inches, in the second direction or along the second axis between about 8 inches and about 48 inches, and in the third direction or along the third axis between about 0.5 inches and about 8 inches.

Referring now to FIG. 7, another example of a first member 124 of an apparatus is illustrated. In this illustrated example, the first member 124 includes a wall or member 128 separating an interior of the housing 44 into first and second cavities or paths 132, 136. The wall 128 is shorter than the top and bottom flanges 64, 68 of the first member 124 to provide a passage 140 from or between the first and second cavities 132, 136. An end 108 of a second member 40 may be positioned in one cavity 132 or 136, moved into alignment with the passage 140, and moved to the other cavity 136 or 132 through the passage 140. An apparatus 20 including this type of first member 124 would include two of these first members 124, one on each side of the second member 40. Such an apparatus 20 would facilitate movement of the anchor member 32 in the first and second directions or along the first and second axes in a similar manner to that described above and would facilitate another manner of movement in the third direction or along the third axis. Movement of the second member 40 between first and second cavities 132, 136 would move the second member 40, and therefore the anchor member 32, in the third direction or along the third axis. In other examples, the first members may include any number of walls or members separating an interior of the first members into any number of cavities, thereby facilitating any number of adjustments of the end of the second member in the third direction or along the third axis. In other examples, the passage may be positioned anywhere along the wall or within the first member to facilitate movement of an end of the second member between cavities. In other examples, the first member may include multiple passages, thereby providing multiple locations where the end of the second member may move between cavities.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-16, another example of an apparatus 220 for coupling an object 24 to a substrate 28 is illustrated. Similarly to the example of the apparatus 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the apparatus 220 illustrated in FIGS. 8-16 is configured to couple a wide variety of objects 24 to a wide variety of substrates 28. Also, similarly, the apparatus 220 is capable of allowing movement or adjustability of an anchor member 32 in multiple directions or along multiple axes. In one example, the apparatus 220 allows movement of the anchor member 32 in two directions or along two axes (i.e., along any two of the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis in a three-dimensional coordinate system). In another example, the apparatus 220 allows movement of the anchor member 32 in three directions or along three axes (i.e., along the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis of a three-dimensional coordinate system).

With particular reference to FIGS. 8, 10 and 11, the apparatus 220 includes a first member 224, a second member 228 moveably coupled to the first member 224 and an anchor member 32. In one example, the first member 224 includes a housing 232 and an enclosure 236. In other examples, the housing 232 and the enclosure 236 may not be considered part of the first member 224, but rather may be considered their own independent components. Additionally, the first member may include more or less components. The housing 232 defines a cavity 240, a first set of projections 244 and a second set of projections 248. Each of the first set of projections 244 includes a foot or pad 252 that is generally flat and generally co-planar with a first end 256 of the housing 232. An aperture 260 is defined through each pad 252 and is configured to receive a fastener 264 therein for coupling the first member 224, and therefore the apparatus 220, to a form 60. The second set of projections 248 extend from a second end 268 of the housing 232 opposite the first end 256. In the illustrated example, the second set of projections 248 extend generally perpendicular to a cylindrical wall 272 of the housing 232 and generally parallel to the pads 252. In other examples, the second set of projections 248 may extend at any orientation relative to the cylindrical wall 272 of the housing 232.

The enclosure 236 is positioned within the cavity 240 and includes a plurality of projections 276 that are aligned with and positioned in slots 280 defined in the housing 232. The interaction between the projections 276 and edges of the housing 232 defining the slots 280 inhibits movement or rotation of the enclosure 236 relative to the housing 232. That is, the housing 232 and the enclosure 236 are rigidly secured and do not move relative to each other. The enclosure 236 defines a cavity 284 therein and includes a first ledge or lip 288 and a second ledge or lip 292. The first ledge 288 is near a first end 296 of the enclosure 236 and the second ledge 292 is spaced further away from the first end 296 than the first ledge 288 and is closer to a second end 300 of the enclosure 236. The cavity 284 has a first size or first diameter 304 between the first ledge 288 and the first end 296, a second size or second diameter 308 between the second ledge 292 and the first ledge 288 and a third size or third diameter 312 between the second end 300 of the enclosure 236 and the second ledge 292.

In one example, the second member 228 may include a first plate 316, a second plate 320, a bushing 324 and a nut 328. In other examples, these elements may not be part of the second member 228 and may instead be considered their own independent component. Additionally, the second member may include more or less components. The first plate 316 is positioned in the cavity 284 of the enclosure 236 and abuts the first ledge 288. The first plate 316 is sized to fit into the portion of the cavity 284 having the second size or second diameter 308, abut the first ledge 288 and not pass by the first ledge 288 out of the first end 296 of the enclosure 236. The first plate 316 defines an aperture 332 therethrough. In the illustrated example, the aperture 332 is a non-circular aperture. More particularly, the aperture 332 is an eccentric aperture. Still further, the aperture 332 includes arcuate ends and straight opposing sides extending between the arcuate ends. The aperture 332 also includes a ledge or lip 336 separating the aperture 332 into a first portion 340 having a first size and a second portion 344 having a second size larger than the first size.

The second plate 320 is positioned in the cavity 284 of the enclosure 236 and abuts the second ledge 292. The second plate 320 is sized to fit into the portion of the cavity having the third size or third diameter 312, abut the second ledge 292 and not pass by the second ledge 292 into the portion of the cavity 284 having the first size or first diameter 304. The second plate 320 defines an aperture 348 therethrough. In the illustrated example, the aperture 348 is a non-circular aperture. More particularly, the aperture 348 is an eccentric aperture. Still further, the aperture 348 includes arcuate ends and straight opposing sides extending between the arcuate ends. In the illustrated example, the aperture 348 of the second plate is shorter in longitudinal length than the aperture 332 defined in the first plate 316. In other examples, the aperture 348 in the second plate 320 may be similarly sized to at least a portion of the aperture 332 defined in the first plate 316.

The bushing 324 defines a bushing aperture 352 therethrough and includes a head 356 and a body 360 with the head 356 being larger in size than the body 360. The body 360 of the bushing 324 is positioned in the first portion 340 of the aperture 332 defined in the first plate 316 and the head 356 engages the ledge 336 of the first plate 316. The head 356 is supported on the ledge 336 and is configured to move along the ledge 336 (described in more detail below). The body 360 of the bushing 324 moves within the first portion 340 of the aperture 332 as the head 356 moves along the ledge 336.

The nut 328 defines a threaded aperture 364 therethrough and includes a head 368 and a body 372 with the head 368 being larger in size than the body 372. The body 372 of the nut 328 is positioned in the aperture 348 defined in the second plate 320, and the head 368 of the nut 328 is positioned above the second plate 320. The head 368 includes a first surface 376 and a second surface 380 opposite the first surface 376. The first surface 376 engages a top surface 384 of the second plate 320. The head 368 of the nut 328 also includes a plurality of projections 388 extending away from the second surface 380 of the head 368. In the illustrated example, the nut 328 includes four projections 388. Alternatively, the nut 328 may include any number of projections 388 (including one projection). The threaded aperture 364 of the nut 328 is aligned with the bushing aperture 352.

The apparatus 220 also includes a plurality of barriers or caps 392, 396 configured to inhibit substrate 28 from accessing an interior of the apparatus 220. A first barrier or cap 392 includes a head 400 and a body 404 with the head 400 being larger than the body 404. The body 404 is sufficiently sized to insert into the bushing aperture 352 and the head 400 is similar in size to the enclosure cavity having the first size or first diameter 304. The first cap 392 inhibits substrate 28 from accessing the interior of the apparatus 220 from the first end 296 of the enclosure 236. The first barrier 392 can be selectively coupled to and uncoupled from the bushing 324 as desired (described in more detail below). The second barrier or cap 396 includes a first lip or projection 408 and a second lip or projection 412, both of which encompass the second barrier 396. The first lip 408 is positioned near a first end 416 of the second barrier 396 and the second lip 412 is positioned near a second end 420 of the second barrier 396. The first lip 408 is used to couple the second barrier 396 to the second end 300 of the enclosure 236 by inserting into a groove or recess 424 defined in an interior of the enclosure 236 near the second end 300 of the enclosure 236. The second lip 412 is sized larger than the portion of the enclosure cavity 284 having the third size 312 to cover the second end 300 of the enclosure 236 and inhibit substrate 28 from accessing the interior of the apparatus 220 through the second end 300 of the enclosure 236. The plurality of projections 388 extending from the nut 328 engage a bottom surface 428 of the second barrier 396 to provide support for the second barrier 396.

It should be understood that the components of the illustrated exemplary apparatus 220 illustrated in FIGS. 8-16 represent only one exemplary configuration of many possible configurations of components and all possible configurations are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. While all possible alternative configurations of the components are not described and illustrated herein it should be appreciated that different quantities, different shapes or configurations, different arrangements, different interactions, etc., should all be considered as being part of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the apparatus 220 is coupled to one example of a form 60 that assists with determining a final, cured shape of a substrate 28. The apparatus 220 is coupled to the form 60 with the fasteners 264. In the illustrated example, the apparatus 220 includes six pads 252 and six fasteners 264 to couple the apparatus 220 to the form 60. In other examples, the apparatus 220 may include any number of pads 252 and any number of fasteners 264 to couple the apparatus 220 to the form 60.

In this illustrated example, the apparatus 220 will be coupled to a substrate 28 in an overhead orientation, which results in the anchor member 32 being positioned overhead and projecting downward from the apparatus 220. Alternatively, the apparatus 220 may be coupled to a substrate 28 in any vertical, horizontal or between horizontal and vertical orientation including, but not limited to, underfoot (e.g., in the ground or some other surface that is driven, walked, or otherwise traversed upon), in a vertical wall or surface, or at any surface at an angle between horizontal and vertical.

In the illustrated exemplary overhead orientation, the pads 252 abut the form 60 and the fasteners 264 are sufficiently tightened to inhibit substrate 28 from flowing between the first end 256 of the housing 232 and the form 60. The first cap 392 may also be coupled at the first end 256 to inhibit substrate 28 from accessing the interior of the apparatus 220 from the first end 256. The second barrier or cap 396 is coupled at the second end 268 to inhibit substrate 28 from accessing the interior of the apparatus 220 from the second end 268. The barriers or caps 392, 396 ensure desired movement of the components within the apparatus 20 once the apparatus 220 has been installed in the substrate 28 and the substrate 28 has cured. The barriers or caps 392, 396 may be made of a variety of materials and may have a variety of shapes and configurations and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, the barriers or caps 392, 396 may be made of, but not limited to, metal, plastic, wood, among others.

Referring now to FIG. 12, substrate 28 such as, for example, concrete is introduced into the form 60 and surrounds the apparatus 220. The first and second set of projections 244, 248 are positioned in the substrate 28 and assist with securing the apparatus 220 in the substrate 28. In some examples, the projections 244, 248 provide significant resistance to tensile and shear loading applied to the apparatus 220 by an object 24 coupled to the apparatus 220.

With reference to FIG. 13, once the substrate 28 is adequately cured, the form 60 may be removed. The form 60 and the barriers or caps 392, 396 inhibit the substrate 28 from accessing the interior of the apparatus 220, thereby enabling the apparatus 220 to facilitate movement of the anchor member in three directions or along three axes after the apparatus 220 is coupled to the substrate 28.

With continued reference to FIG. 13 and additional reference to FIG. 11, the housing 232, the enclosure 236 and the second cap 396 remain fixed in the substrate 28 and are not moveable relative to each other or the substrate 28. The first plate 316, the second plate 320, the bushing 324 and the nut 328 are all moveable relative to the substrate 28, the housing 232, the enclosure 236 and the second cap 396. In the illustrated example, the first plate 316, the second plate 320, the bushing 324 and the nut 328 are all rotatable relative to the substrate 28, the housing 232, the enclosure 236 and the second cap 396. Additionally, in the illustrated example, the nut 328 and the bushing 324 are moveable or translatable in the apertures 332, 348 relative to the first plate 316 and the second plate 320. Thus, in the illustrated example, the nut 328 and the bushing 324 are both translatable and rotatable relative to the substrate 28, the housing 232, the enclosure 236 and the second cap 396.

Referring now to FIG. 14, the first cap 392 is removed to facilitate coupling of the anchor member 32. With reference to FIG. 15, the anchor member 32 is inserted into and through the bushing 324, and coupled to the nut 328. In the illustrated example, the anchor member 32 is a threaded anchor member, which is threadably coupled to the nut 328. In other examples, the anchor member 32 may be other types of anchor members and may be coupled to the apparatus 220 in other manners. Returning to the illustrated example shown in FIG. 15, an end 432 of the anchor member 32 is displaced or spaced-apart from the second cap 396. When the end 432 of the anchor member 32 is displaced or spaced-apart from the second cap 396, the anchor member 32 is moveable with the bushing 324 and the nut 328. That is, the anchor member 32 may rotate with the bushing 324, the nut 328, the first plate 316 and the second plate 320 relative to the substrate 28, the housing 232, the enclosure 236 and the second cap 396. Additionally, the anchor member 32 may move or translate with the bushing 324 and the nut 328 in the apertures 332, 348 relative to the first and second plates 316, 320.

Referring now to FIG. 16, when the anchor member 32 is in the desired position relative to the substrate 28, the anchor member 32 is further threaded toward the second cap 396 until the end 432 of the anchor member 32 engages the second cap 396. Engagement between the anchor member 32 and the second cap 396 secures the anchor member 32 against movement or in place relative to the substrate 28. For additional securement or restriction from movement, one or more additional securing members 436 may be used such as, for example, a washer, a nut, etc.

The example of the apparatus 220 illustrated in FIGS. 8-16 facilitates movement of the anchor member 32 in three directions or along three axes. Regarding movement of the anchor member 32 in a third direction or along a third axis, different length anchor members 32 may be used to achieve movement in the third direction or along the third axis. Alternatively, threading the anchor member 32 into the nut 328 to varying extents may provide movement of the anchor member 32 in the third direction or along the third axis. In other examples, the apparatus 220 may facilitate movement of the anchor member 32 in the three directions or along the three axes in a variety of other manners and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that reference to first, second and third directions or axes is not intended to be limiting, but is rather done to facilitate description of the principles of the present disclosure. Any direction may be referred to as the first direction, second direction or third direction and any axis may be referred to as the first axis, the second axis or the third axis.

The apparatus 220 is configured to allow movement of the anchor member 32 in the three directions or along the three axes to varying dimensional extents. In one example, the apparatus 220 allows for about 40 millimeters of movement or adjustment in both the first direction and the second direction or along the first axis and the second axis. In one example, the apparatus 220 allows for about 1 inch of movement in the third direction or along the third axis. In other examples, the apparatus 220 allows for between about 0.5 inches and about 10 inches of movement or adjustment in both the first direction and the second direction or along the first axis and the second axis, and between about 0.5 inches and about 2 inches of movement in the third direction or along the third axis.

Since the apparatus 220 may be positioned in any orientation, the first direction, the second direction and the third direction may coordinate with any of the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis in a three-dimensional coordinate system. Thus, the first direction may be associated with the x-axis, the y-axis or the z-axis. Likewise, the second direction may be associated with the x-axis, the y-axis or the z-axis, and the third direction may be associated with the x-axis, the y-axis or the z-axis.

It should be understood that when one or more elements is/are, for example, coupled, secured, attached, mounted, connected, variants thereof, or equivalents thereof, that such one or more elements may be either unitarily formed as one-piece or separately formed.

It should also be understood that the use of any orientation or directional terms herein such as, for example, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “side”, etc., is not intended to imply only a single orientation of the item with which it is associated or to limit the present disclosure in any manner. The use of such orientation or directional terms is intended to assist with the understanding of principles disclosed herein and to correspond to the exemplary orientation illustrated in the drawings. For example, the apparatuses may be utilized in any orientation and use of such terms is intended to correspond to the exemplary orientation of the apparatuses illustrated in the drawings. The use of these terms in association with the apparatuses is not intended to limit the apparatuses to a single orientation or to limit the apparatuses in any manner.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.

While various embodiments of the disclosure have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. 

1. A cast-in-place anchor apparatus comprising: a member configured to be cast into and unmovable relative to a substrate; and an anchor member coupled to and moveable relative to the member, wherein the anchor member is configured to anchor an object relative to the substrate.
 2. The cast-in-place anchor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchor member is moveable relative to the member along two axes.
 3. The cast-in-place anchor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchor member is moveable relative to the member along three axes of a three-dimensional coordinate system.
 4. The cast-in-place anchor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the member is a first member, the cast-in-place anchor apparatus further comprising a second member coupled to and moveable relative to the first member, wherein the anchor member is coupled to the second member.
 5. The cast-in-place anchor apparatus of claim 4, wherein the anchor member is moveable with the second member.
 6. The cast-in-place anchor apparatus of claim 4, wherein the anchor member is moveable relative to the second member.
 7. The cast-in-place anchor apparatus of claim 4, wherein the anchor member is moveable with and relative to the second member.
 8. The cast-in-place anchor apparatus of claim 4, wherein the anchor member is translatable relative to the first member.
 9. The cast-in-place anchor apparatus of claim 4, wherein the anchor member is rotatable relative to the first member.
 10. The cast-in-place anchor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchor member translates relative to the member along a first axis and translates relative to the member along a second axis.
 11. The cast-in-place anchor apparatus of claim 10, wherein the anchor member translates relative to the member along a third axis.
 12. The cast-in-place anchor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchor member translates relative to the member along a first axis and rotates relative to the member to accommodate movement of the anchor member along a second axis.
 13. The cast-in-place anchor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchor member rotates relative to the member to accommodate movement of the anchor member along a first axis and a second axis, and wherein the anchor member translates relative to the member to accommodate movement of the anchor member along a third axis, wherein the first, second and third axes are associated with a three-dimensional coordinate system.
 14. The cast-in-place anchor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchor member is a threaded fastener.
 15. An anchor apparatus comprising: a first member configured to be cast into and unmovable relative to a substrate; a second member rotatably coupled to the first member; and an anchor member coupled to the second member and rotatable relative to the first member, wherein the anchor member is moveable along at least two axes.
 16. The anchor apparatus of claim 15, wherein the anchor member is moveable along three axes of a three-dimensional coordinate system.
 17. The anchor member of claim 15, wherein the second member comprises a plate defining an elongated aperture, wherein the anchor member is positioned in and moveable within the elongated aperture, and wherein the plate is rotatable relative to the first member.
 18. The anchor apparatus of claim 15, wherein the anchor member is a threaded fastener.
 19. The anchor apparatus of claim 15, wherein the anchor member is moveable between a first position, in which the anchor member is moveable relative to the first member, and a second position, in which the anchor member is fixed relative to the first member.
 20. The anchor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are at least partially cylindrical in shape. 